Knock off shower for papermaking machines



Dec. 13, 1966 D. J. WOLF 3,291,681

KNOCK OFF SHOWER FOR PAPERMAKING MACHINES Filed D60. 26, 1963 INVENTOR 1 D0046 CZ Z OL f United States Fatent G 3,291,681 KNOCK OFF SHOWER FOR PAPERMAKING MACHINES Donal J. Wolf, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Corporation, Beloit, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 333,287 7 Claims. (Cl. 162-275) The present invention relates to improvements in papermaking machines and more particularly to an improved knock ofl? shower arrangement for rapidly removing a paper web from a Fourdrinier wire when the web improperly follows the return run of the wire.

As a paper web is formed and dewatered on a Fourdrinier wire, it is transferred following the couch roll to web transfer mechanism for delivery to a press section of the machine. It is possible for the web to accidentally break or at machine start-up to improperly follow the wire down from the couch roll without traversing to the transfer members and instead to follow down around the return roll to follow the return run of the Fourdrinier wire. Since the web will stick to the wire it will be carried through the return rolls and guide rolls and may wrap itself around these rolls or possibly be carried back to the breast roll. The web in improperly traveling back on the return run of the Fourdrinier wire can cause considerable damage in stretching the Fourdrinier wire by wrapping the rolls and in generally clogging and jamming the mechanism so that parts may have to be replaced and expensive shut-down time will be necessary to stop the machine and clean it. This is avoided by knocking the web off of the return run of the wire when it accidentally follows it, preferably by the use of a knock off shower having a plurality of jets directed downwardly at the inner surface of the wire. Difficulties have been encountered with the shower having a fast enough response. For example, with the wire traveling at a high rate of speed such as on the order of 3,000 feet per minute it will take only a fraction of a second for the web to follow down around the return roll. Operation of the knock off shower must be immediate 50 that it catches the lead end of the Web and throws it down into the wire pit so that the remainder of the web will follow by gravity into the pit. While the shower arrangement of the present invention will be described primarily in connection for use as a knock off shower on a Fourdrinier machine, it will be understood and appreciated that it may be used in other locations on paper machines and for other uses for which the advantages of the invention qualify its use.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved shower arrangement for use in a papermaking machine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a knock off shower for a papermaking machine which is particularly well suited for use for removing the web from a wire on a Fourdrinier machine, which has very rapid response and maintains a supply of water at the shower openings so that upon receipt of a signal it immediately provides jets of high velocity water to knock the web off of the wire.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved knock off shower of simplified construction which is supported within a wire or in a similar location on a papermaking machine consuming a minimum of space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a knock off shower which maintains a supply of water ready for instantaneous use and which is provided with automatic valving means for very rapidly supplying a high pressure water shower.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved shower mechanism which can easily be cleaned and tested and which is relatively simple in construction.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferred embodiment thereof in the specification, claims and drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a Fourdrinier section of a paper machine utilizing a knock off shower embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the knock off shower mechanism having portions removed or broken away for clarity;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially along line III-III of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substan tially along line IV-IV of FIGURE 2.

As shown on the drawings:

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a looped Fourdrinier forming wire 10 receives paper stock from a headbox and dewaters the stock on its upper run forming a web W thereon. The Fourdrinier wire is supported on a breast roll 12 and travels over table rolls 13, suction boxes 14 and a couch roll 15. The web W is taken off of the forming wire 10 by a suction pick-up roll 17 where it is carried on a felt 18 to a press section as indicated by the position of the web W.

The wire travels downwardly over a return roll 16 to complete its loop back to the breast roll and in the event the web should fail to follow the felt 18 it will travel downwardly as indicated by the position of the web W".

If this occurs the improper travel of the web will operate a web detector 19 to operate a knock off shower 20 which may include one or more tubes positioned immediately following the return roll 16. The end of the web then is directed down into the wire pit 20a where it is removed and discarded or reprocessed. The web detector 19 may be of any suitable type which emits a signal manifesting the absence of the web and may operate for example utilizing a photoelectric cell. The detector 19 may be located opposite the felt 18, or it may be positioned opposite the forming wire immediately following the pick-up roll 17.

FIGURE 2 shows the knock off shower assembly 20 including an elongate hollow rigid tube 21 which is in the form of a large metal pipe of sufficient strength to support its weight, and the weight of water therein, along its length. The tube is closed at its ends by caps 22 and 23.

The tube is supported in a horizontal position within the wire by rotary bearings 25 at one end and 26 and 27 at the other end. The bearings 26 and 27 and supply valve are supported on a bracket 28, and the bearing 25 is also supported on suitable bracket means attached to the frame of the paper machine.

Along one face of the tube, preferably at the same circumferential location, are a plurality of axially spaced shower jet openings 24. These jet or spray openings may be simply drilled into the tube and for example each may form a fan spray and be located spaced at 3 inch centers.

In accordance with the invention the tube rotates through an are from a rest position to a spray position. As shown for use within a Fourdrinier wire the rest position with the spray openings 24' facing upwardly so that the tube will remain filled with water for an instantaneous supply of water when additional water under pressure is admitted to the tube, and the tube is rotated so that the openings face downwardly toward a spray zone against the wire.

Further, in accordance with the invention as the tube is rotated from its rest position to its spray position water Patented Dec. 13, 1966- (9 under pressure is automatically instantaneousl supplied to the tube so that spray jets will be immediately emitted fromthe openings 24.

The automatic valving arrangement is shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3 wherein the bracket 28 is arranged to form a clamp 29 holding a sleeve 30 therein surrounding the tube. The sleeve has a surface contacting the tube of low friction material so that there is little drag in the tube as it is rotated from rest to spray position, and so that a relatively close fit can be provided without the use of expensive seals. The low friction sleeve 30 is preferably formed of a material such as Teflon (polytetrafiorethylene).

The tube has a water inlet opening 35. The sleeve has a delivery opening 36 which is spaced to 180 from the tube opening 35 in the rest position of the tube, and is in communication with the opening 35 in the spray position. While the tube inlet opening is shown as preferably arranged at the same circumferential location as the jet openings 24, other suitable circumferential locations may be chosen with the only requirement being that the opening through the sleeve 36 is spaced circumferentially from the tube opening a distance equal to the rotation through which the tube will be turned for moving the jets 24 from their upwardl facing rest position to their downwardly facing spray position. In other words, rotation of the tube serves a first function in turning the jets from their upward position, wherein the water is retained in the tube, to their spray position wherein they are aimed at the spray zone; the second function is the automatic operation of the valve by alignment of the tube inlet opening with the sleeve inlet opening 36. The fitting 29 has a water inlet line 37 which may normally be kept pressurized throughout operation of the machine for an immediate supply of water under pressure.

The fitting 29 is constructed for a convenience of handling and adjustment by having arcuate split portions 31 and 32 hinged at 33 and clamped over the sleeve 30 by a bolt 34.

For rapidly driving the tube through its rotational movement from its rest to its spray position, a pinion 38 is secured around the tube. Meshing with the pinion is a rack 39 driven by a piston within a cylinder 41, with the piston rod 40 shown connected to the rack.

The power cylinder 41 will move in its stroke from one end of the cylinder to the other to rotate the tube from the rest position to the spray position. Fluid pressure or air inlets 42 and 43 are provided for the power cylinder 41, which may have a fixed stroke, or it may have an adjustable stroke to rotate the tube through the proper arc and insure that the tube is at the proper locations in its rest and spray positions. Other suitable adjustments may be provided for obtaining the proper positions of the tube 21. It will be further appreciated that various other types of operating mechanism may be used for driving the tube in its rotational movement, and that the rotating mechanism may be used at one end of the tube and the valving arrangement at a different axial location such as the opposite end of the tube.

In operation, for use as a knock off shower, the Fourdrinier wire is run until the web follows the wire past the pick-up roll 17 down around the return roll 16. The shower mechanism is immediately operated by rotating the shower tube 21 so that the jets 24 rotate from a rest position facing upwardly to a spray position facing downwardly. Simultaneously water under pressure will be supplied to the tube by the automatically operating valve 29 inasmuch as the tube inlet 35 will be in alignment with the sleeve inlet 36. Since the tube is filled with water, the supply of pressurized fresh Water will instantaneously start the spray as soon as the jets point downwardly. Pressure will be building up within the tube as the jets approach their final spray position facing downwardly since the openings 35 and 36 are slightly elongate in an arcuate direction and admit water into the tube as it approaches the end of its rotation and is stopped at the spray position.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided an improved knock off shower mechanism which meets the objectives and advantages above set forth. The mechanism is capable of being put into operation within a fraction of a second and is simple in structure and operation so that it can be relied upon for use throughout the life of the machine and is well adapted to easy care and cleaning. The mechanism is provided with a minimum number of parts and can be constructed with the use of stock materials without requiring expensive manufacturing tolerances.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention.

1. In a Fourdrinier papermaking machine having a Fourdrinier wire with means supplying stock to the wire and dewatering a web formed on the wire delivered to a press section, a knock off shower assembly positioned within the wire for removing the web from the return run of the wire and directing the web down into a wire pit when the web inadvertently follows the return wire run comprising,

an elongate rigid hollow shower tube having closed ends and having a plurality of discharge shower openings along the length on one side of the tube,

rotary end supports at the ends of the tube supporting the tube within the wire,

a rotary water inlet valve connection at one end of th tube,

an inlet passage into the tube communicating with said inlet connection when the tube is rotated to a spray position with said shower openings facing downwardly,

and a tube drive means for rotating the tube from a rest position wherein the shower openings face upwardly with respect to said spray position,

said inlet valve supplying water to said tube only in said spray position with the tube remaining full of water in said rest position.

2. A shower mechanism for a paper machine com prising,

an elongated rigid hollow shower tube having closed ends and a plurality of discharge shower openings along the length one one side of the tube,

rotary end supports at the ends of the tube,

a rotary water inlet valve connection on the tube, an inlet passage into the tube communicating with said inlet connection when the tube is rotated to a spray position with said shower openings facing downwardly,

and tube drive means for rotating the tube from a rest position wherein the shower openings face upwardly with respect to said spray position and the tube remains full of water to the spray position wherein said openings are directed at a spray zone and water is supplied by said valve.

3. A shower mechanism for a paper machine comprising,

an elongate rigid hollow shower tube having a pinrality of discharge shower openings along the length,

an inlet passage in said tube,

means rotatably supporting the tube,

means for rotating the tube from a rest position wherein the shower openings face upwardly with respect to a spray position and the tube remains full of water to the spray position with said openings facing a shower zone in said spray position,

valve means supplying water under pressure to said inlet passage only in said spray position. 4. A shower mechanism for a paper machine comprising,

tating to substantially 180 from one end of said stroke to the other and the tube being in rest position at one end of the stroke and in spray position at the other end, said shower openings facing up wardly in said rest position with respect to the openings in said spray position and said tube remaining full of water in said rest position.

5. A shower mechanism for a paper machine comprising,

an elongate rigid hollow shower tube having closed ends and a plurality of discharge shower openings along the length,

rotary supports for the tube,

a rotary water inlet valve connection for the tube,

said valve supplying water to said tube only in a spray position,

an arcuate gear at one end of the tube,

a rack engaging the gear,

and power means connected to the rack rotating the tube from a rest position to said spray position, said shower openings facing upwardly in said rest position with respect to the openings in said spray position and said tube remaining full of water in said rest position.

6. A shower mechanism for a papermaking machine comprising,

an elongate rigid hollow shower tube having closed ends and a plurality of discharge shower openings along the length,

rotary support means for the tube,

drive means connected to the tube for rotation around a central axis of the tube from a rest position to a spray position,

said shower openings facing upwardly in said rest position with respect to the openings in said spray position and said tube remaining full of water in said rest position,

a valve inlet opening on one side of the tube,

an annular sleeve surrounding the tube at said inlet opening and having a low friction surface between the tube and sleeve,

and a water inlet opening through said sleeve being in alignment with the inlet opening at the spray position of the tube.

7. A Fourdrinier papermaking machine comprising,

a looped Fourdrinier wire,

rolls for supporting the wire including a couch roll and a return roll,

an elongate rigid hollow tube extending within the wire along a lower run thereof having a plurality of axially spaced fan spray jets opening from the tube arranged to provide a substantially continuous spray along the length of the tube, and located at one circumferential position with the ends of the tube being closed,

bearing means at the tube ends rotatably supporting the tube for rotation from a rest position wherein said jets face upwardly with respect to a spray position with water being retained within the tube and the spray position wherein said jets face downwardly toward the wire,

a radial inlet passage in the tube at the same circumferential location as the jets,

an annular sleeve surrounding the tube with a low friction plastic inner surface having a water inlet opening at the bottom thereof for communicating with the inlet passage in the tube when the tube is rotated to spray position,

an annular pinion attached to the tube,

a rack drivingly engaging said pinion,

a power cylinder for operating the rack having a fixed stroke with the tube being in rest position at one end of the stroke and in spray position at the other end of the stroke,

and means for delivering fluid under pressure to the inlet opening in said sleeve.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 596,940 1/ 1898 Millspaugh 239567 1,186,226 6/1916 Parker 239567 3,097,992 7/1963 Strempel 162-255 3,097,993 7/1963 Goddard 162275 3,218,227 11/1965 Moore et al 162l99 X FOREIGN PATENTS 292,373 6/ 1916 Germany.

444,495 8/ 1927 Germany.

DONALL H. SYLVESTER, Primary Examiner. S. LEON BASHORE, Examiner. 

3. A SHOWER MECHANISM FOR A PAPER MACHINE COMPRISING, AN ELONGATE RIGID HOLLOW SHOWER TUBE HAVING A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE SHOWER OPENINGS ALONG THE LENGTH, AND INLET PASSAGE IN SAID TUBE, MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING THE TUBE, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE TUBE FROM A REST POSITION WHEREIN THE SHOWER OPENINGS FACE UPWARD WITH RESPECT TO A SPRAY POSITION AND THE TUBE REMAINS FULL OR WATER TO THE SPRAY POSITION WITH SAID OPENINGS FACING A SHOWER ZONE IN SAID SPRAY POSITION, VALVE MEANS SUPPLYING WATER UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID INLET PASSAGE ONLY IN SAID SPRAY POSITION. 